MALDA: One person was shot at and several were rendered homeless following a clash between two groups of alleged Trinamool Congress supporters at Kaliachak. While opposition blamed the ruling party for the violence, Trinamool denied its involvement.

On Sunday morning, the villagers of Naoda Jadupur woke up to the sound of bombs. The house of Trinamool worker Khalil Momin was attacked and he was shot from a close range. It has been learnt that a TMC faction led by Bakul Sk was behind this attack. In August, Bakul was expelled from the party following a number of allegations against him. Soon after this, police arrested his followers. His arch rival in party, Zakir Sk, was named the party’s area president.

Sources said that Bakul’s followers in the ruling party were allegedly tortured by Zakir’s men. “Bakul, who was absconding, made sudden appearances in the area. It has also been alleged that Bakul was close to a senior Trinamool leader,” said a source.

Momin, who allegedly had a rivalry with Bakul, recently joined the camp of Zakir. He was shot on his leg and was taken to Malda Medical College and Hospital. A huge force from Kaliachak police station reached the spot to control the situation. Angry people also blocked the National Highway-34 for an hour triggering a traffic chaos.

SP Prasun Banerjee said, “Police will control the situation. We have started a case. Bakul is absconding and we are looking for him.”

Congress MLA Sabina Yeasmin said, “Gang war is a regular phenomenon at Kaliachak. Police are mere spectators because the miscreants are from the ruling party.” Trinamool district president Moyajjem Hossain said: “None of the criminals are associated with our party. We have asked police several times to take action against them. But police failed to control the violence.”

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